The history of a place is the story of the owners of the land and the people who lived and worked there. Speak with anyone who was connected to the Estate and they will say that growing up and living there was really quite special. My interest in Childwickbury is simple.Our family came to live here on Lady Day 1948 when my father John Swan became Farm Manager of Cheapside Farm - a position he held until it was sold in 1978. Initially bought by the Luton Hoo Estate the farm is now owned by St Albans School and the Old Albanians RFC. Many years later in the 1990’s and studying with the Open University my chosen subject for the 3rd year was ‘Family & Community History - 19th/20th Century’. I decided to research the Childwickbury community and relate it to all aspects of the course which proved a fascinating exercise. The dissertation for my Advanced Diploma compared Childwickbury with adjacent Sandridge 1850 - 1900. 'Childwickbury' is my first published work (just 250 copies) and I hope it will give everyone who has any interest in this tiny corner of Hertfordshire a fuller understanding of this small estate community and its fascinating, colourful owners.